South Korean officials, including National Security director Kim Kwan-jin (right, foreground) shake hands with North Korean officials, including Hwang Pyong-so (left, foreground), then North Korea's top political officer for the Korean People's Army, in August 2015. On Tuesday, the two Koreas are set to have their first high-level bilateral dialogue in more than two years. Photo: South Korean Unification Ministry via AP

North Korea returns to talks with South Korea, this time with higher stakes

Andrew Hammond says the return of inter-Korean dialogue has brought relief, but after so many threats between the North and the US, the failure of these talks may carry much starker consequences this time

South Korean officials, including National Security director Kim Kwan-jin (right, foreground) shake hands with North Korean officials, including Hwang Pyong-so (left, foreground), then North Korea's top political officer for the Korean People's Army, in August 2015. On Tuesday, the two Koreas are set to have their first high-level bilateral dialogue in more than two years. Photo: South Korean Unification Ministry via AP